Interesting Chihuahua Facts
Q: Why do some Chihuahuas have a hole or soft spot in their head?
A: Some Chis do have a small hole on the top of their heads just like a baby's soft spot. It's called a Molera. The Molera is not dangerous and not a flaw in the breed. Actually, it is quite common place and generally not a cause for concern. Of course, care should be taken not to injure the site just as you would for a baby's soft spot.
Q: What are Tea-Cup or Pocket Chihuahuas?
A: Tea-cup and Pocket are American euphamisms to describe extremely small chihuahuas. Keep in mind that it is a description only. It is not a special strain of the chihuahua nor its own breed type. If you are told by a breeder that they breed only tea-cups, be cautious as there really is no such thing. The breed standard states that Chihuahuas can be no larger than six pounds. That means they can be any weight up to but not over six pounds. These miniscule babies (under three pounds) can be extremely hard to raise and often have a shortened life expectancy even with the very best of care. They are really premature puppies. Their mothers (female chihuahuas) can be bred on the ninth through the fifteeth day of their cycle. It is possible for puppies in the same litter to be "conceived" up to a week after the first puppy's conception. However, once labor starts, all of the puppies are born at the same time regardless of when they were conceived or fertilized. This is why you have different size puppies in the same litter. There are no "runts", just "younger" puppies. Along with their prematurity comes health issues that may not be known until later in their life. They are prone to heart or lung problem and are generally more frail. Please be cautious when choosing a puppy of this size. Unless you have the financial means and the time available, choosing a slightly larger (gestationally older) puppy is wiser.
Q: What are some of the health problems Chihuahuas can have?
A: Chihuahuas, as all dogs, have some common health problems they may have throughout their lifetime. Be assured that not all chis have these problems but they are common among the breed.
1. Luxating Patellas (or slipped stifle). This is simply the knee slipping out of place. In most cases, the knee will pop back into place. In more severe cases, it can be corrected surgically in most cases.
2. Vaccinosis. Because chis are so small their tolerance for "normal" doses of vaccines are lower than larger breeds. Discuss vaccines and dosages with your vet to ensure your puppy gets the correct dose for his size.
3. Hypoglycemia (or low blood sugar). These little guys have a fast metabolism and burn fuel quickly. You can correct this condition quickly with a quick boost to their blood sugar level by giving the puppy some honey or maple syrup on your finger. They usually will outgrow this condition but you should always have a supplement on hand such as Nutrical or Vitacal just in case. Left untreated, hypoglycemia can be fatal.
Q: Why does my Chihuahua snort, wheeze and honk like he's gasping for breath?
A: This is called a Collapsing Trachea or Reverse Sneezing. The chi is so small, it stands to reason that their "pipes" are small as well. Sometimes the supporting rings in the trachea collapse and cause a snorting, wheezing, honking sound. Actually, it sounds far worse than it generally is. Usually chis will wheeze when they get excited or after a bit of rough-housing. Once they settle down, the wheezing goes away. If you are worried, have your vet take a look.
AKC vs CKC - In our Opinion
We have been involved with the American Kennel Club (AKC) for many years and have an outstanding reputation with them. They are a "database" of animals linked to their specific family tree by a series of unique identification numbers. They offer a variety of reference materials and services to pet owners.
The Continental Kennel Club (CKC) has a very similar "database" and runs in much the same way as the AKC. They also offer a variety of reference materials and services to pet owners.
We have gotten registrations and pedigrees from both organizations and found them to be almost identical. The difference, we have found is in the prices they charge for registration and the competitions they endorse..
The AKC has been around for quite a long time while the CKC is still developing a following. They both hold sanctioned events, have their own judges who evaluate each animal to its own standard and hold each breeder to a code of ethics.
There are quite a few AKC breeders who show disdain for the CKC and its members. While we understand and acknowledge that belonging to AKC is prestigous in and of itself, we'd like to remind them that they too were once a young registry. They've had their ups and downs and their share of "scandal" in their lifetime. Therefore, we feel it is unfair of AKC and its breeders to downgrade animals carrying the CKC registration or undermine the CKC and its members as being "below standard". We have not found that to be the case at all.
Neither club requires absolute proof that the applicant puppy is out of a certain registered parentage and there are very few "challenges" to submitted applications. Therefore, we submit that each database is only as good as the data that is entered into it. If a breeder is unscrupulous and falsifies information to either club, how are the clubs to know? Unless and until both clubs require DNA evidence of parentage and purity of breed, they are both simply a database. No more, no less. They will continue to rely on the honesty and integrity of each breeder to ensure that the breed lines are kept pure. We have seen firsthand horrifying conditions at AKC member kennels and personally know of breeders and "pet shops" who substitute paperwork on puppies to increase their perceived value. Even worse, we know firsthand of breeders and pet shops using a deceased puppy's paperwork for a puppy that doesn't have papers.
We certify that our animals are exactly what we say they are. Purebred Chihuahuas. We use both registries with confidence and guarantee that the information we provide them to be honest and above reproach. We will not "discount" an animal based on their registration but evaluate each one based on the accepted standard for our breed. That is why we carry both clubs and register our animals with both organizations.
While these views may not be popular among staunch AKC members, they are simply our opinion. If you'd like to share your views, please feel free to email me using the link below.
